I am humbled to serve on the committee for this year’s Breakthrough T1D Capital Region Gala (formerly the JDRF One Hope Ball) to raise critical funds needed for vital research and support of our local type 1 diabetes (T1D) community.

T1D is a chronic autoimmune that can strike children and adults at any time. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, and requires constant, intensive management- even overnight. Besides coping with a lifelong dependence on injected insulin, these adults and children must face the constant threat of devastating, life-threatening complications. There are no days off, and there is no cure- yet, but Breakthrough T1D is aiming to change that.

Both my wife and daughter live with T1D so the weight of managing this chronic disease is quite familiar and personal to me and my family. While insulin therapy keeps people with T1D alive, it is not a cure, nor does it prevent the possibility of serious complications. The emotional, mental, and financial burden on those who live with T1D and their families is profound.

Anthem, as well as my family, supports Breakthrough T1D because they focus on what the T1D community needs now and next. No organization does more to improve everyday life with T1D- from driving millions of dollars of global investment in therapy development and access, to advancing research, advocacy, and community support. Breakthrough T1D recognizes the importance of supporting the T1D community through the mental and emotional challenges of the disease, and they provide resources to those living with T1D- whether they were diagnosed yesterday, or 20 years ago.

I hope you will join me in supporting Breakthrough T1D and consider a donation to Fund A Cure. 100% of your Fund A Cure donations go to Breakthrough T1D and its mission to cure, prevent, and better treat type 1 diabetes and its complications.

With your support, we are creating a movement to improve and change life with T1D, advancing breakthroughs on the way to cures. To find out more, visit Breakthrough T1D.org